I had a dream to make a computer using 74 series TTL, essentially transistor logic in small packages. I managed to get a full prototype working in Proteus from labcenter http://www.labcenter.com/index.cfm The same software also includes PCB layout tools. These files were then sent to beta layout PCB pool http://www.beta-layout.com/ When the PCBs arrived some soldering with all the components left me with a surprisingly heavy board that actually worked. http://www.wellytop.com/Fnagaton/DIYComputer.html

zrun zork

Ahhhh memories. :)

UK store Asda, while owned by Wal-Mart, had been using online shopping for years.

For Microsoft using their encryption is mandatory for all (released titles) game communication except the voice communication data which has to be in clear.

The Xbox and Xbox 360 use encryption implemented in the kernel as part of the Xbox Live matchmaking. There are many reasons for this but the main ones are security to help stop people altering the packets and cheating. This encryption is a requirement mandated by Microsoft before a title can be published. The encryption does mean the other consoles cannot decode those packets, unless a lot of effort is spent to reverse engineer the encryption and Xbox Live protocols. I have a feeling that if a publisher/developer did reverse engineer the Live encryption and protocols and used that to get Sony and Xbox consoles to join the same game then Microsoft would probably pull the plug on that title.

During development of titles I've had the Microsoft and Sony consoles happily joining the same games, but during development the encryption can be turned off. The PC build also had no problems joining the network session. This is because such titles tend to have the same network code and communicate the same data (before it gets encrypted).

As someone who interviews candidates for software engineer positions then what I find more valuable than a masters is finding someone with the demonstrated ability to do the job, enthusiasm and love of the subject. This is because, in my experience, a graduate who only took the course to earn more in the industry is not really going to understand the subject and not really going to perform as well as someone who is a "hobby programmer" who has discovered how to research their own solutions due to loving the subject. So if you really love the subject then opt for work experience, i.e. do the work you love. If you want to learn how to teach other people then a masters. You'll learn far more from three months work experience than you ever will during a two year masters course. The most important thing is to figure out what you want or love, is it the programming or is it the thought of being able to earn tons of cash? Because I know I could and have programmed for free because I love the subject. Which is what sets me apart from those who don't love the subject and turn up for interviews thinking they can get a highly paid job just because they passed an exam.